September Come She Will

With a tip of the hat to Simon and Garfunkel, this post is from our visitor Beth Lively.  Beth is an old friend (but younger than us ;-)) from Michigan who joined us on our homestead for a few days.  She picked a great time as the leaves were in full swing and we were enjoying wonderful Maine autumn weather. It was such a pleasure having Beth with us and it renewed our commitment to creating community in this wonderful place. Here's Beth.

As I sit down to write this morning I can’t help but think of those truly hardy souls who set sail for the East Coast 400 years ago.  They headed toward new life, homes they would build themselves in the woods, unfamiliar land, unknown relationships, and a faith that all would turn out well.  What courage and determination they demonstrated.  Enter Cheryl.  Enter Kirk.  Enter Jayne.

I visited Anam Cara and my dear friends there in September…dearer to me now as I know them as friends who are truly living their dream.  I knew the Michigan side of their journey, followed their progress online, and felt called to pay a visit.  How good it is to make the effort to visit and keep in touch with such friends. 

I am impressed with all that they have accomplished, and not at all surprised.  They made a plan for their new life and followed it.  With a plan from a permaculture expert in the area they are building their home, and new life, just as they said they would.  The land they built on has a welcoming quality to it.  Cheryl showed me the large old Maple tree in back…I’m sure that tree knows many things.  I discovered beautiful yellow Birch trees that I never knew existed.   

We pot lucked one night with the local permaculture Meetup – a friendly and committed group of like-minded Mainers.  The chickens in the yard gave us eggs for breakfast and the local fishery gave us ocean perch for dinner. 

Cheryl and I took a bright sunny day to explore and headed north to Rockland.   

I wanted to see the Farnsworth Art Museum and the collections of Wyeth and other Maine artists there (Hopper, Homer).  What a great way to spend a day.   

"Sunlight" - Frank Benson

The air in Maine is amazing, crystal clear, fresh, and expansive.  We drove through small towns and ate some really good barbeque in a gas station parking lot.  The museum was wonderful and I was especially excited to find the works of American Impressionist Frank Benson.  He painted from his summer home in Maine and captured the fresh quality of the light and air very well I think.  On the way back we stopped at Owl’s Head Point Lighthouse.  The wild blue views of the ocean and surrounding shoreline were unlike any I’ve seen.  We rock hounded to our hearts content and the ocean gave us her treasures.  Maine is a wonderful place.

Two months has passed and I’ve thought often of my visit to Anam Cara.  When hurricane Sandy hit I wondered if my friends lost power, and knew they would be fine if they did.  An invitation has been issued to come back.  I have no doubt that I will.

Happy Thanksgiving All.  May we all know the blessings of a warm home, a full meal, good friends, and dreams realized this holiday season.  With love from Michigan, Beth Lively